Fairchild Airman supports effort in Puerto Rico

A crumbled Puerto Rico roadway sits covered in debris after the event of Hurricane Maria, in Puerto Rico.Two months after the incident, roughly 54% of Puerto Rico is still without power, telecommunications are operating at 75% and one in 10 Puerto Ricans does not have access to drinkable water. (Courtesy Photo)

Airmen help hand out supplies to families affected by Hurricane Maria, In Puerto Rico. In his free time Staff Sgt. Anthony Hooper, 92nd Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle maintenance craftsman, volunteered in the local community by distributing supplies to families in need, to include crates of water and MREs. (Courtesy photo)

Airmen conduct vehicle maintenance, in Puerto Rico. Active duty members from all over the world have been brought to Puerto Rico to help with aiding the disaster relief efforts in Puerto Rico during the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. (Courtesy Photo)

A damaged road way lays covered in debris during the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, in Puerto Rico. On Sept. 20, the winds of Hurricane Maria raged between 110 and 155 miles per hour. Power was knocked out across Puerto Rico, infrastructure collapsed, plants were uprooted from the ground and water flooded across large areas. (Courtesy Photo)

Supplies used to help in the aiding of Puerto Rican citizens sits on a flight line, in Puerto Rico. Two months after the incident, roughly 54% of Puerto Rico is still without power, telecommunications are operating at 75% and one in 10 Puerto Ricans does not have access to drinkable water. (Courtesy Photo)

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --
Sept. 20, the wind raged between 110 and 155 miles per hour as Hurricane Maria hit the United States territory of Puerto Rico. Power was knocked out across the island, infrastructure collapsed, plants were uprooted from the ground and water flooded across large areas.

According to the National Broadcasting Company, two months after the incident, roughly 54% of Puerto Rico is still without power, telecommunications are operating at 75% and one in 10 Puerto Ricans does not have access to drinkable water.

Staff Sgt. Anthony Hooper, 92 Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle maintenance craftsman, is currently in Puerto Rico representing Team Fairchild while working with members from around the Air Force, Air National Guard and the local populous to repair and maintain vehicle assets.

“Hooper is one of our top notch NCO's overseeing vehicle repairs in Puerto Rico,” said Master Sgt. Calvin Bishun, 92nd LRS Vehicle Management Superintendent. “He works with a team of two Puerto Rico State Guardsmen, two Air National Guardsmen and one active duty member. There have been numerous challenges trying to maintain the vehicle fleet, but SSgt Hooper was able to overcome parts procurement and maintenance issues to provide support for all recovery operations.”

Hooper is contributing to the Hurricane Maria relief effort by fixing active duty vehicle assets required to distribute needed supplies to the local populous.

“Active duty members from all over the world have been brought to Puerto Rico to help with aid,” Hooper said. “There are not enough Guard members to provide support, so active duty Airmen fill in where needed.”

Hooper also performs wrecker duty, a job that entails towing broken assets to be repaired so aid efforts can continue.

During his down time, Hooper volunteers in the local community by distributing supplies to families in need, to include crates of water and MRE’s.

“Being down here and having the opportunity to volunteer and help out outside of regular duties has been a very rewarding experience,” Hooper said.